Tempe Man Indicted on False Documents Charges

(Phoenix, Ariz. – March 9, 2007) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced the indictment of Gabriel Hernandez, 37, of Tempe, on charges related to manufacturing false identification for illegal immigrants.

Hernandez was indicted on one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, three counts of trafficking in the identity of another and seven counts of forgery. The indictment alleges that Hernandez participated in an organized enterprise called the “DJ Manicero” which sold counterfeit documents. An investigation conducted by the Arizona Fraudulent Identification Task Force revealed Hernandez sold resident alien cards, Social Security cards and other identification documents under false names to undercover officers.

If convicted of all charges, Hernandez faces up to 49 years in prison. Hernandez will make his initial appearance in Maricopa County Superior Court on Saturday, March 10. Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson is prosecuting this case.